Sault Sainte Marie Canals

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition

1. Popularly called Soo Canals (so͞o)Sault Sainte Marie Canals Three ship canals bypassing the rapids on the St. Marys River between Lakes Superior and Huron. The Canadian canal, opened in 1895, follows the route of the canal built around the rapids by a fur company in 1797-1798. The first American canal was completed in 1855 and was enlarged and split into two canals, opened in 1896 and 1919. Though often icebound in winter, the canals are vital links in the Great Lakes waterway system.